Courtesy Photo | On the last trip from the nation's capital to the White House, the caisson bearing the...... read more read more
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Editor's Note - This story originally appeared in the Bolling Air Force Base (BAFB) newspaper, The Bolling Beam, Nov. 29, 1963, following the assignation of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. Minimal edits were made to ensure the transcription conforms to current newswriting standards. BAFB is one of three military properties that now constitute Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB).
A Final Salute: 4,000 Military Participate in President's Funeral Rites
Transcribed by Michelle L. Gordon
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Public Affairs
Officers and enlisted men and women representing all branches of the military participated in President John F. Kennedy's final trip through the streets of Washington.
Approximately 4,000 troops representing all services were utilized.
The caisson bearing the slain President through the streets of Washington and across the Potomac to Arlington National Cemetery was escorted by 30 companies, representing the active-fighting forces, reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, service academies, and one company of women from the different services.
The United States Air Force, Marine and Navy Bands also accompanied the caisson.
The procession, led by a Washington motorcycle police escort, was under the direction of Maj. Gen. Philip C. Wehle, commanding the Military District of Washington. Lt. Col. Richard E. Cross, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 3d Infantry Division (the Old Guard) from Fort Myer, Virginia, was commander of troops and staff.
One field officer from each service made up the staff.
Leading the first marching unit was the Marine Band. This unit consisted of companies of cadets from the Air Force, Military, Naval and Coast Guard academies. Also an Air Force squadron, a company from the 1st Battalion of the 3d Infantry, one from the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and a company of service women.
The Navy Band led the second marching unit including companies of Army National Guard, Army, Marine Corps and Naval Reserves; squadrons from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves and a company from the Coast Guard reserves.
The Air Force Band led representatives from the 32 national veterans organizations, chartered by the Congress, in the third marching unit.
A special honor guard, the National Colors, the clergy (a catholic priest, an Episcopalian and a rabbi) and an enlisted man carrying the late President's personal flag made up the cortege.
The procession proceeded from the Capitol to a last stop at the White House, then to St. Matthew's Cathedral and, after Holy Mass there, to Arlington National Cemetery.
All units except the Marine Band, the special military escort and the cortege turned left on Arlington Ridge Road when the procession arrived at Arlington. The cortege entered the main gates winding its way slowly to the grave site.
Following the simple grave-side ceremony, and as the family, close friends, and national leaders slowly departed the grave site, the military services posted the first four-man honor guard at the grave site.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2014 11:05 |
| Story ID: | 148357 |
| Location: | DC, US |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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